Supporting village children into school in Benin

My visits to Benin have now become a well-rehearsed routine, and my most recent, for the last two weeks of October, was no exception.

The orphanage “Chez Papa Geoff” is now running very smoothly. The local council inspector has made an official visit and declared it “excellent”. His only suggestion was to create an area where the children could do their homework. This had already been completed, except for painting the blackboard, by the time I arrived. It is already being used and as always it is a joy to see how the older children help the younger ones.

The farm side of the project is slowly progressing but hasn’t been helped by lighter than usual rains.

We also managed to fence in a fairly large garden which was being ravaged by pigs and goats. As it is only a few minutes away from the orphanage, the children will be able to raise some much-needed vegetables to augment a somewhat starchy local diet.

Two more volunteers, including a doctor are visiting in February and I am planning a visit in March,to help prepare for the “Grande Saison”. This is, agriculturally, the most critical time of year to get crops planted before the heavy seasonal rains begin.

Thank you for your encouragement and support!